The Houston Astros defeated the Chicago White Sox 3-0 yesterday to improve to 31-19 on the season. They were led by 27 year old left hander Dallas Keuchel who went the distance, giving up just 4 hits and striking out 11 White Sox. Catcher Evan Gattis and first baseman Chris Carter both homered to spark the offense.
This team just continues to shock everybody and I’m still trying to figure out how exactly they’re doing it. Keuchel has come out of nowhere to be a legitimate Cy Young candidate. He’s pitched to a 7-1 record with an earned run average of 1.76, has struck out 60 and walked just 21 in 81 and two thirds innings. Keuchel and Collin McHugh have been solid at the top of the team’s rotation. McHugh has posted a record of 5-2 with a 4.24 earned run average this season after bursting onto the scene last year. Will Harris, Luke Gregerson, Chad Qualls, Pat Neshek, and lefty Tony Sipp have done an excellent job holding down the fort in the bullpen as well.
Fifth year second baseman Jose Altuve has become a seasoned veteran and is stable at the top of the lineup. He’s hitting .297 with 5 home runs, 25 RBI, and is in the top 7 in the Major Leagues in hits with 60. Designated hitter Evan Gattis has found a home in the middle of the order hitting 11 home runs and driving in 31 runs. Then there’s 24 year old left fielder Preston Tucker, who was called up earlier in the season and has performed so well that he’s been moved up to 3rd in the starting lineup and just continues to rake. In 58 at bats, he’s hit .328 with 2 home runs and has driven in 8 runs. He has an on base percentage of .400 and has multi-hit games in back to back games. This kid has exploded onto the scene and has helped Houston continue to push forward.
No matter how they’re doing it, the Houston Astros just continue to win, and are currently 5 games in front of the Los Angeles Angels in the American League West. This is great to see, especially when they’ve gone 232-416 in the last four seasons. That’s a winning percentage of 35.8 percent, which is microscopic. I don’t know if this will continue, but it’s great to see some winning baseball being played in Houston.
